Startups, Mergers, Acquisitions and Funding Round-up this week

From groundbreaking AI ventures to healthcare innovations and high-stakes acquisitions, India’s startup ecosystem continues to evolve rapidly. This week’s roundup captures a wave of developments across funding, mergers, and industry movements, spotlighting both early-stage disruption and mature market shifts. Whether it’s new capital fueling brain tech, bold plans to automate human work, or Flipkart calling employees back to the office, the momentum reflects a sector in constant transformation.

Ivory Raises $1M to Build Brain Health Tech Ecosystem

Brain wellness startup Ivory secured $1 million in seed funding from IIM-A Ventures, Capital-A, and others. The startup focuses on neurocognitive care through diagnostics and digital therapy solutions. With this fresh capital, Ivory will focus on deepening its research capabilities, scaling its operations, and forming collaborations with clinical institutions. As awareness around brain health grows, Ivory positions itself at the forefront of neuro-tech innovation in the Indian healthcare sector.

BriskPe Eyes New Funding to Expand Global Fintech Services

Backed by PayU, BriskPe—a cross-border payments startup—is reportedly in talks to raise fresh capital to accelerate its growth in international fintech infrastructure. With rising demand for streamlined international financial flows, the company plans to utilize new funds to enhance its platform, expand into key global markets, and reinforce its role in digitizing India’s export economy.

AI Pioneer Launches Startup to Fully Automate Human Work

A controversial new startup by a prominent AI researcher aims to replace all human jobs using advanced general-purpose AI, sparking ethical and policy debates globally. Experts have raised alarms about the potential impact on employment and societal stability, prompting renewed discussions on regulatory frameworks and the need for socially responsible innovation in AI.

MENA Startup Funding Sees Sharp Drop in March

Startup funding in the MENA region plummeted 76% in March 2025, reaching just $127.5 million, signaling investor caution amidst global economic shifts. Despite this setback, emerging sectors like clean tech and artificial intelligence maintained modest traction. Analysts anticipate a recalibration of funding strategies, with increased focus on sustainable business models and profitability.

Risa Labs Raises $3.5M for AI-Powered Health Solutions

Healthtech startup Risa Labs has bagged $3.5 million in a round led by Binny Bansal and other angel investors to develop its AI-driven patient care platform. With the new investment, Risa Labs plans to grow its product development and clinical integration teams while piloting its solutions in partner hospitals. Its long-term vision is to make intelligent, data-driven care a cornerstone of mainstream healthcare delivery in India.

OfBusiness Raises Rs. 100 Cr from Cornerstone Ventures

B2B e-commerce player OfBusiness secured Rs. 100 crore to scale its procurement and credit services for SMEs, reinforcing its presence in the industrial supply chain. The company plans to use the capital to enhance its supply chain intelligence, invest in predictive analytics, and deepen market penetration. This funding reaffirms investor confidence in scalable, tech-enabled enterprise solutions.

Mergers and Acquisitions

• A small-cap company witnessed a 6% surge after revealing expansion plans via acquisition, reflecting strong market confidence in its inorganic growth strategy.
• Eversource is in advanced talks to buy BluSmart amid a financial scandal. The deal could see BluSmart founders step down as part of a major restructuring.
• ITC’s acquisition of Century Pulp & Paper is a strategic move to expand its manufacturing footprint in northern India, balancing regional operations.

Other News

• Tesla has reportedly asked India to ramp up domestic manufacturing of essential EV components, signalling serious intent to localise operations in the country.
• At a recent summit held by Chandigarh University in Mohali, four promising startups secured undisclosed funding, showcasing regional innovation.
• Drone tech firm Garuda Aerospace raised Rs. 100 crore to enhance product R&D and scale drone applications across agriculture, logistics, and surveillance.
• Three CSIR labs are collaborating for an innovation-focused startup conclave next week, aiming to boost deep-tech entrepreneurship.
• Flipkart has ended its work-from-home policy, now requiring employees to return to the office five days a week, citing collaboration and culture as key reasons.